Dry up
stop being available or stop talking.
The phrasal verb 'dry up' can be used in two main contexts. First, it can describe a situation where a resource, like water or food, becomes completely used up or unavailable. Imagine you are water rafting and suddenly the water levels start to drop rapidly – you’d say the river is drying up. On the other hand, 'dry up' can also refer to a sudden cessation in speech. For instance, if someone is delivering a speech and suddenly forgets their lines, you might whisper to your friend that the speaker has 'dried up.' This versatile phrasal verb paints vivid imagery of scarcity or interruption, both of which are essential concepts in communication and resource management.
Example Sentences
The river began to dry up during the heatwave.
The river started to decrease in water during the heatwave.
Funds for the project started to dry up, halting further progress.
Funds for the project started to diminish, halting progress.
When the stream began to dry up, the wildlife had to find water elsewhere.
When the stream began to decrease in water, the wildlife had to find water elsewhere.
